Questions abaout a S&W 629

[Classified00]

Howdy,

For no rational reason what so ever, I am seriously considering a .44. I have a couple of .38's and a .357 (all snubbies) but I feel an incompleteness that demands something big and heavy and cool. I am looking at a S&W 629 but I have a few questions:

1. How much recoil does .44 Special have? Comparable to shooting .357 out of a S&W 60? More like .038 Special?

2. I really like to looks of the 4 inch barrel. The 5 and 6 seem really long to me (snubbie snobbery). Will the 4 inch increase the recoil much on the magnum rounds?
* Note: as long as I can be "combat accurate", I'll be happy. I'm sure that the longer barrels would improve accuracy but I don't plan on competing.

3. Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

 

[FoMoGo]

I have owned a 6" M629 and currently own a 2.5" M629.
I traded a 4" M21 .44 special for the 2.5" M629.
We also have a 2" 5 shot .44 that is one of mine and my wifes EDC pistols.
In my experience with factory ammo... the .44 special is a pussycat to shoot. We had our sons, 11 and 14, shooting the .44 with no issues.
I LOVE shooting my 2.5" .44 mag... it is a blaster and you KNOW you just set something serious off.
Fireballs the appx size of a beer keg are to be expected with hotter factory ammo.
However I have no issue with a hundred rounds at a session with it.
I have hot loaded .44 specials I shoot thru it also... with these it can be an all day affair.


Jim

 

[Sam1911]

Hey!

You are about to make a GREAT purchase! I've had my 4" 629 for a couple of years and love it to death!

I *DO* compete with it very regularly -- in Stock Service Revolver class in IDPA, and shoot .44 Specials exclusively. They are very VERY pleasant to shoot. A bit like a .45 ACP out of a 1911 Gov't model (another personal favorite). I shoot about 100-150 rds. a week through it on average.

I do occasionally shoot heavier loads with it. I think the stoutest I've shot are my hand-loads of 300 gr. lead over about 21 grains of H110 for about 1250 fps., or so my chrono tells me. They get your attention, but shooting 100 of them in a range session would be no problem at all. The recoil of a .44 Mag is WAAAAY overblown and the factory rubber stocks on the gun just soak it right up.

I also use it for CCW fairly often, either in a Shado Bruce Nelson style OWB leather holster or a Hoffner's Mirage Kydex IWB rig. Carries VERY well, doesn't print badly (on me, anyway).

I can't recommend it ENOUGH!

-Sam

 

[bluetopper]

I have a 6" 629 with the half lug barrel and the firearm is addicting. I reload so I can feed it mild to wild at a very reasonable price with cast lead bullets. The first 44 Mag I bought was a stainless Redhawk and the single-action trigger was awful........I sold it.

 

[airbus300]

my 13 y/o daughter shoots my m29 3" with .44 special winchester silvertips.
you will love it.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I have an 8 3/8" 629 that I've shot nothing but magnums through. I got the chance to shoot a friend's 4", and its a lot livelier. The gun moves quite a bit more, but the recoil didn't feel much rougher on my hand.

 

[Oro]

1. How much recoil does .44 Special have? Comparable to shooting .357 out of a S&W 60? More like .038 Special?

The most accurate comparison is a .45acp out of a 1911.

Very similar ballistics, very similar weight gun (in a 4" variant). I have the round butt 3" 629 and love it. A great gun.

 

[Storm]

I have a 629 in 6" (full lug) and 8 3/8". To me .44 mag isn't all that big of a deal in terms of recoil, and .44 Special is just downright tame. I find myself gravitating towards the magnum loads.

 

[Classified00]

Thanks all! I have a few weeks before I'll be a position to buy. I keep mulling it over until then

 

[Guillermo]

If you buy a 44 you might as well start saving for reloading equipment.

There are few calibers (and guns that shoot them) that lend themselves top the versatility of the 44.

You are about to embark on a wonderful adventure

 

[pogo2]

629 comments

I've had the 629 Classic shown below for about 10 years - it has the 5 inch barrel. I generally shoot magnums from it instead of specials, as the magnums don't cost any more and are more fun to shoot. This gun has the best trigger feel of the dozen revolvers I have, and is very accurate. The only drawback in shooting .44 magnum is that the ammo is expensive (I don't reload).

 

[Eightball]

I didn't know there were ever 5" 629s, much less some with a full underlug.

Nice looking revo there.